From Dad With Love

A paper towel roll. A pair of outgrown pajamas. A toy with no wheels.

To us? Trash.

To our kids? Priceless.

In this episode of From Dad, With Love, we’re diving into the wild world of “kid treasures” and the drama that unfolds when we try to throw them away. But it’s not just about clutter—this one goes deeper. We’ll talk about what these items really represent for our kids, why letting go feels like a loss to them, and how our own childhood experiences shape the way we handle it now.

Also—yes, we’re getting honest about the secret tactics parents use to make stuff disappear without a meltdown. This one’s got humor, heart, and a little parenting confession. Let’s talk about it.

You’re standing there, snack in hand, ready to help—and your kid looks you dead in the face and says, “No… I want Mommy to do it.” Sound familiar? In this episode of From Dad, With Love, we’re unpacking the moments that make dads feel like second choice—and why that feeling cuts deeper than we like to admit. From wrestling with rejection to checking our own patterns, this one’s a gut check. Because sometimes, it’s not just about the apples. It’s about how we show up—even when we’re not picked first. Let’s talk about it.

One minute, we’re pulling out of the driveway—the next, it’s a full-on battle over music, snacks, and thermostat settings. If morning drop-offs in your house feel like controlled chaos (or just chaos), this episode is for you.

But here’s the real challenge: Some mornings, I’m so caught up in the stress that I stop being Dad and start feeling like a frustrated Uber driver. In this episode, I talk about how rushed mornings impact connection, the childhood habits I’m unlearning, and why the way I handle these little moments could shape how my kids see me in the big ones.

"One minute, everything is fine—the next, a full meltdown over the wrong color snack. If you've ever found yourself deep-breathing your way through a tantrum, this episode is for you. But here’s the real challenge: Big feelings aren’t just hard for kids. They bring up a lot in us, too. In this episode, I talk about breaking the cycle of shutting down emotions, learning how to regulate when my kids are losing it, and why parenting patience is like going to the gym—it takes reps."

🔹 What’s the most unexpected thing that’s triggered a meltdown in your house? Let’s hear it.

"Why do kids treat cleaning up like a personal attack? One minute, they’re playing happily—the next, they’re full-on lawyers arguing why the mess isn’t theirs. In this episode, I break down why kids resist cleaning, how my own childhood shaped the way I handle it, and how I’m learning to let go of frustration and make cleaning feel less like a battle and more like teamwork. Spoiler alert: It’s still a battle."

🔹 Parents, what’s the funniest excuse your kid has given to avoid cleaning? Drop it below.

"Every parent knows bedtime isn’t just a routine—it’s a full-blown negotiation. My daughter? She’s a master strategist, running through a carefully planned list of ‘emergencies’ before finally hitting me with, ‘Dad… will you cuddle with me?’ And that’s when I realize—it was never about the water, the stuffed animal, or the hair wrap. In this episode, I explore the struggle between control and connection, why bedtime is so triggering for me, and how I’m learning to let go of the battle so I don’t miss the moments that actually matter."

🔹 What’s the most unexpected thing that’s stalled bedtime in your house? Let’s hear it.

"One night, in the middle of my usual end-of-day chaos, my son asked me for something that stopped me in my tracks—not a snack, not a toy, but ‘love with lots of hugs and kisses.’ And that’s when it hit me: the biggest lesson I’ve learned as a dad so far. In this episode, I dive into why connection matters more than control, how my childhood shaped the way I respond to my kids, and the real work of breaking cycles so I don’t just repeat the patterns I grew up with."

🔹 What’s been the hardest mindset shift for you in raising kids? Let’s talk about it.